Subject:
Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus Response Specific Performance Agreement with Directions for Mental Health, Inc. d/b/a Directions for Living, for homeless and homelessness prevention related services to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Recommended Action:
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Specific Performance Agreement (Agreement) with Directions for Mental Health, Inc. d/b/a Directions for Living (Directions), for street outreach, rapid re-housing and homeless and homelessness prevention related services to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
• On September 15, 2021, the County provided $777,989.00 in Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus Response (ESG-CV) funding for street outreach, rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention services including a homeless navigator, counselor, Integrated Decision Team facilitator and two (2) case managers, benefitting approximately 72 homeless or at risk at-risk homeless individuals and families.
• Directions was unable to expend all the ESG-CV funding provided by the County through the original Agreement, ESCV19DMH, before it expired on December 31, 2021.
• Directions has identified an ongoing need for COVID-19 response funding and the County has agreed to execute a new agreement to allow for expenditures of the remaining ESG-CV award.
• Directions provides services to individuals at-risk of, or diagnosed with behavioral health, substance misuse, or co-occurring disorders or persons or families at-risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness.
• The new SPA is effective from May 1, 2022, to August 31, 2022 and is not to exceed $184,156.94 during the term of the Agreement.
• Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in communities that need the most
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
Summary:
One of the projects to be carried out under the Substantial Amendment to the County’s Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) is the funding of Directions to respond to COVID-19. This Agreement will provide funding for the purchase of necessary program materials, as well as provide funds for a homeless navigator, counselor, Integrated Decision Team facilitator (IDT) and two (2) case managers to implement a homelessness and eviction prevention response program benefitting approximately 72 homeless or at risk at-risk homeless individuals and families.
Directions was awarded $777,989.00 in ESG-CV funding under ESCV19DMH to respond to COVID-19. However, Directions was unable to expend all the funded provided by the County under ESCV19DMH.
Directions has identified an ongoing need for COVID-19 response funding and the County has agreed to execute a new agreement to allow for expenditures of the remaining ESG-CV award in the amount of $184,156.94.
The Agreement is effective from May 1, 2022, to August 31, 2022.
Background/Explanation
In accordance with the adopted Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, it is necessary to enter into a Specific Performance and Land Use Restriction Agreement with qualified agencies to allow for certain activities stated in the Annual Action Plan to be contractually delegated and specify the obligation of the agencies receiving funds in meeting Federal, State and County requirements. A Land Use Restriction Agreement is not applicable to this Agreement.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, was signed providing funds to respond to the growing effects of COVID-19. The County received $739,117.00 in ESG-CV funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.
On July 21, 2020, a Substantial Amendment to the 2019-2020 Action Plan was approved by the Board of County Commission (Board) in Resolution 20-68, to include $3,997,774.00 in ESG-CV2 funds allocated by HUD to fund activities that mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance and to support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities.
On September 15, 2021, the County, executed Specific Performance Agreement ESCV19DMH, effective October 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021.
Fiscal Impact:
The total amount of funding for this agreement is not to exceed $184,156.94 during the term of the Agreement. Funding for this Agreement is consistent and included in the County’s FY22 Adopted Budget for ESG-CV and ESG-CV2 funds.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a) (1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Carol Stricklin, Director, Housing and Community Development
Partners:
Directions for Mental Health, Inc. d/b/a Directions for Living
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Attachments:
Specific Performance Agreement
Specific Performance Agreement ESCV19DMH, September 15, 2021
CDBG-CV and ESG-CV Funding Recommendations
Resolution 20-68
Resolution 21-24